Double-Acting Subterranean Pump

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a double-acting pump system for use in moving a fluid. The pump system includes a means for inputting power at a location remote from the double-acting pump. The system allows for manual power input, such as through a local pumping unit. The double-acting pump may define an interior volume and include a first end chamber in fluid communication with the local pumping unit, a second end chamber in fluid communication with the local pumping unit, a central chamber having a separating section, and a driving element (e.g., a double-ended piston) slidably located within the interior volume of the double-acting pump. The separating section may include an inlet valve section (e.g., two inlet valves) and an outlet valve section (e.g., two outlet valves).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/330,583, filed on May 3, 2010, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to fluid driven double-acting pumps, andmore particularly to fluid driven double-acting pumps that provide ameans for extracting a fluid from a subterranean location.

BACKGROUND

There is a universal need to bring underground fluids to the surface.These fluids can be crude oil for gasoline or water for irrigation,among many other types. Several versions of pumps have been created tosatisfy this need. The most widely used pumps for fluids are thedouble-acting type pumps in which there is an alternating piston that,while drawing in a fluid, simultaneously compresses the fluid drawn induring the piston's previous stroke made in the opposite direction.Quite often, fluid is used as the driving medium to force the pump indisparate directions. In this setup, the fluid is typically delivered tothe pump by a single fluid column. Several inventions address devicesthat alter the direction of the forces applied by the single fluidcolumn. A problem with this setup is that energy is wasted in returningthe fluid to its starting position.

Also, when air is used as the driving medium, these devices are usuallycomplex and bulky, as the valves must permit the entry of air and theexit of compressed air at each stroke of the piston. These complexdevices can require heavy machinery for installation and a significantamount of electricity to continually operate. However, in areas wheresuch a device could be utilized, there is no easy access to the heavymachinery or electrical power required. As a result, areas suited tofarming activities are often precluded from doing so because obtainingaccess to a sufficient water supply is prohibitively expensive.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing, there is a need for a device which brings fluid tothe surface with a minimal amount of energy and additional equipment. Inaddition, there is a need for such a device which is simple, robust, andinexpensive.

The present invention is generally directed to a double-acting pumpdesigned to move water to an elevated location with a pressure head.There are many areas where having access to water would dramaticallychange the nature of the environment. This is especially true inrelatively arid areas where surface water is far away, whilesubterranean water supplies are not easily brought to ground level. Manyof the methods and devices used to move the water are strenuous and/orbeyond the monetary means of many people in these areas. As a result, asmall, inexpensive, manually operated pump would allow for productivefarming activities in new areas.

One aspect of the invention relates to a pumping system. The pumpingsystem includes a local pumping unit and a remote pumping unit, theremote pumping unit defining an interior volume. The remote pumping unitincludes a first end chamber in fluid communication with the localpumping unit, a second end chamber in fluid communication with the localpumping unit, a central chamber having a separating section, and adriving element (e.g., a double-ended piston) slidably located withinthe interior volume of the remote pumping unit. The separating sectionincludes an inlet valve section (e.g., two inlet valves) and an outletvalve section (e.g., two outlet valves). The driving element is adaptedto draw fluid into the central chamber through the inlet valve sectionand force fluid out of the central chamber through the outlet valvesection when actuated by forcing a driving medium into one of the firstchamber and the second chamber from the local pumping unit.

In various embodiments, the separating section may include a valve box.In a further embodiment, the separating section divides the centralchamber into two separate portions. The driving element may include apiston. The driving element is adapted to move and to simultaneouslydraw fluid into one of the two portions of the central chamber throughthe inlet valve section (e.g., via one of the inlet valves) and forcefluid out of the other portion of the central chamber through the outletvalve section (e.g., via one of the outlet valves) when actuated byforcing a driving medium into one of the first end chamber and thesecond end chamber from the local pumping unit.

Additionally, the local pumping unit can be manually operated. The localpumping unit could also be a fixed delivery hydraulic pump. The localpumping unit may include a first cylinder assembly and a second cylinderassembly, with the first end chamber in fluid communication with thefirst cylinder assembly and the second end chamber in fluidcommunication with the second cylinder assembly.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a pumping system including apower input unit and a remote pumping unit coupled with the power inputunit through conduits. The remote pumping unit includes a housing unitwith a central chamber, a fixed valve box, and a driving element. Thefixed valve box is disposed substantially within the central chamber andcontains at least four valves, wherein each of the valves is in fluidcommunication with at least one of an inlet and an outlet in fluidcommunication with the central chamber. The driving element is slidablydisposed relative to the fixed valve box. The power input unit mayinclude a local pumping unit, which may be manually operated and mayinclude two pistons.

In various embodiments, the remote pumping unit includes a first endchamber and a second end chamber. The power input unit may be in fluidcommunication with the first end chamber and the second end chamberthrough two hoses. The remote pumping unit may include a cylindricalhousing with the first end chamber and the second end chamber located atopposing distal ends thereof. In one embodiment, the driving elementsealingly separates the first end chamber, the second end chamber, andthe central chamber of the remote pumping unit.

Additionally, the valve box can include an inlet valve section and anoutlet valve section. Each of the inlet valve section and the outletvalve section may include at least two valves. In one embodiment, thevalves are one-way valves. At least two of the one-way valves may allowflow from the inlet into the central chamber and at least two of theone-way valves may allow flow out of the central chamber to the outlet.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of pumping fluidfrom a remote location. The method includes the steps of applying aforce to a local pumping unit and driving a medium to an end chamber ofa remote pumping unit, the remote pumping unit including a first endchamber, a second end chamber, a central chamber, and a driving element.The method further includes drawing fluid through an inlet of thecentral chamber and driving fluid out of an outlet of the centralchamber through actuation of the driving element, wherein the drivingelement is actuated by driving the driving medium into one of the firstend chamber and second end chamber through the application of force tothe local pumping unit.

In one embodiment, the method is cyclically repeated by alternatelydriving the driving medium into the first end chamber and then thesecond end chamber. The driving medium may be water, or any otherappropriate fluid. The remote pumping unit may be oriented horizontallyor vertically.

These and other objects, along with the advantages and features of thepresent invention herein disclosed, will become apparent throughreference to the following description, the accompanying drawings, andthe claims. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the features of thevarious embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and canexist in various combinations and permutations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention. In the followingdescription, various embodiments of the present invention are describedwith reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a pumping system, in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the operation ofa remote pumping unit for use in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an example remote pumping unitfor use in the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the remote pumping unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the remote pumping unit ofFIG. 3 taken through line A-A in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded view of the remote pumping unit of FIG.3; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart representation of the operation of the pumpingsystem of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, various embodiments of the present invention aregenerally described with reference to a water irrigation pump. It is,however, to be understood that the present invention can also be used inother types of situations that require moving fluid from a lowerlocation to a higher one.

A schematic view of a pumping system 100, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention, is shown in FIG. 1. The pumping system 100includes a power input unit, such as a local pumping unit 102,positioned at or above ground level, and a remote pumping unit 104positioned below ground level and in fluid communication with asubterranean water source 106. In one embodiment, the local pumping unit102 is a manual unit adapted to be operated by a user. In an alternativeembodiment, the local pumping 102 unit is a powered unit. The poweredunit may be electrically, pneumatically, mechanically, or otherwisepowered. In one embodiment, the powered unit is electrically driven by asolar powered electrical source.

In operation, the local pumping unit 102 provides a driving force topower the remote pumping unit 104. In one embodiment, the local pumpingunit 102 includes a first cylinder assembly 107 including a firstdriving piston 108 and a first driving chamber 114, and a secondcylinder assembly 109 including a second driving piston 110 and a seconddriving chamber 116. The cylinder assemblies 107, 109 may be formed aspart of a unitary housing 112. The first driving chamber 114 and thesecond driving chamber 116 house the first driving piston 108 and thesecond driving piston 110, respectively. In one embodiment, the drivingchambers 114, 116 are hollow, substantially cylindrical structuresconfigured to sealingly house the first driving piston 108 and thesecond driving piston 110. In one embodiment, a seal, such as a rubberseal, is placed on an outer edge of each of the first driving piston 108and the second driving piston 110 to ensure a slidable sealed fitbetween the driving pistons 108, 110, and the driving chambers 114, 116,while allowing the driving pistons 108, 110 to move along the length ofthe driving chambers 114, 116.

In one exemplary embodiment, the side edges of the driving pistons 108,110 are grooved to allow for an o-ring, such as a polymer o-ring, tostably fit within the groove and stay in position during movement. Theo-ring creates a substantially fluid-tight seal between the drivingpistons 108, 110 and the inner walls of the driving chambers 114, 116.The o-ring also reduces friction when the driving pistons 108, 110 slidealong the length of the driving chambers 114, 116. Components of thedriving pistons 108, 110 can be manufactured from a polymer, a metal, orcombinations thereof. In another embodiment, a flexible, thoughinelastic, membrane may be used, either instead of or in addition to theo-rings, such as the diaphragms sold by Bellofram Corporation (Newell,W. Va.).

The driving chambers 114, 116 and the driving pistons 108, 110 may havea circular cross-sectional shape. In an alternative embodiment, thedriving chambers 114, 116 and the driving pistons 108, 110 may be of anyappropriate cross-sectional shape such as, but not limited to, square,rectangular, or oblong.

The cross-sectional area and the length of the interior of the drivingchambers 114, 116 may be sized to provide the required driving force tothe system. In one embodiment, the driving chambers 114, 116 are ofequal size, thereby providing the same pneumatic force to the system. Inan alternative embodiment, the driving chambers 114, 116 may be of adifferent length, cross-sectional area, and/or shape.

The distal end 118 of the first driving piston 108 and the distal end120 of the second driving piston 110 may extend through an opening atthe distal end of each of the driving chambers 114, 116 and be connectedto a manual or powered driving element for providing a force to each ofthe driving pistons 108, 110. In one embodiment, the driving element isa manually driven, foot powered, rocking element attached to the distalends 118, 120 of the first driving piston 108 and the second drivingpiston 110, respectively, such that an inward driving force 122 on thefirst driving piston 108 will produce a corresponding outward force onthe second driving piston 110. For example, an arrangement such as thatdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,218 may be utilized, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In analternative embodiment, a hand driven rocking pump action or acyclically driven forcing action (e.g., a foot or hand driven cyclicalpedal action) may be utilized to provide force to each of the firstdriving piston 108 and second driving piston 110. In further alternativeembodiments, any appropriate manually actuated mechanical device may beused to drive the first driving piston 108 and/or the second drivingpiston 110.

One embodiment of the invention includes inlet/outlet ports 124, 126,located at the proximal ends of the driving chambers 114, 116, therebyproviding a fluid pathway into and out of the sealed portions of thedriving chambers 114, 116. These inlet/outlet ports 124, 126 areattached to coupling elements 128, 130, adapted to couple the localpumping unit 102 to a first driving hose 132 and a second driving hose134, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the driving hoses 132,134 are connected directly to the inlet/outlet ports 124, 126 withoutthe need for separate coupling elements 128, 130. In a furtheralternative embodiment, the inlet/outlet ports 124, 126 may berespectively connected to the first driving hose 132 and second drivinghose 134 through any appropriate structure that provides a flow pathbetween the driving chambers 114, 116 and the driving hoses 132, 134. Ina further alternative embodiment, a single two-way piston within asingle chamber may be used, in place of the two separate driving pistonsand chambers, with inlet/outlet ports 124, 126 connected at differentends of the chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the driving chambers 114, 116 areoriented vertically, with the first driving piston 108 and the seconddriving piston 110 free to move vertically upwards and downwards withinthe driving chambers 114, 116 upon application of a driving force to thedistal ends 118, 120 thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the drivingchambers 114, 116 may be oriented at any appropriate angle, and may beoriented at the same or different angles. In one embodiment, the drivinghoses 132, 134 are connected at a proximal end to the coupling elements128, 130, and at a distal end to coupling elements 136, 138 of theremote pumping unit 104.

In one embodiment, the remote pumping unit 104 is positioned undergroundnear a water source 106. The remote pumping unit 104 can be locatedabove, within or below any water source 106, as appropriate for thespecific geology and geography in which the water source 106 is located.The remote pumping unit 104 is connected to the water source 106 throughan inlet supply conduit 140, where a distal end of the inlet supplyconduit 140 is within the water source and the proximal end of the inletsupply conduit 140 is attached to an inlet coupling element 142 tocreate a fluid connection with an inlet 141 of the remote pumping unit104. An outlet supply conduit 144 is attached at a proximal end to anoutlet coupling element 146 to create a fluid connection with an outlet143 of the remote pumping unit 104. The distal end of the outlet supplyconduit 144 may be located above ground, thereby providing a path formoving the water between the remote pumping unit 104 and the aboveground environment.

A cross-sectional representation of the remote pumping unit 104 is shownin FIG. 2. The remote pumping unit 104 includes a housing 148 with ahollow interior in fluid communication with each of the couplingelements 136, 138, inlet coupling element 142, and outlet couplingelement 146. A driving element such as a piston 150 is slidably locatedwithin the hollow interior of the housing 148. This piston 150 includesa first end plate 152, a second end plate 154, and a connecting rod 156.In one embodiment, the first end plate 152 and second end plate 154provide a movable fluid-tight seal between the first end plate 152 andsecond end plate 154 and the inner walls of the housing 148. As aresult, the housing 148 is effectively split into three separatechambers: a first end chamber 158 in fluid communication with the firstcoupling element 136, a second end chamber 160 in fluid communicationwith the second coupling element 138, and a central chamber 162 in fluidcommunication with the inlet coupling element 142 and outlet couplingelement 146.

The central chamber 162 includes a separating section 164. Theseparating section 164 includes an inlet valve section 166 in fluidcommunication with the inlet coupling element 142, and an outlet valvesection 168 in fluid communication with the outlet coupling element 146.Sides 165 of the separating section 164 may be perpendicular to a wall167 of the separating section 164. In other embodiments, portions of thesides 165 may be sloped relative to the wall 167. The separating section164 sealingly divides the central chamber 162 into a first compartment170 and a second compartment 172, with the connecting rod 156 of thepiston 150 slidably extending through a channel formed by the separatingsection 164. A sealing element, such as, but not limited to, one or moreo-rings, may be located within the channel, and/or on the connecting rod156, to prevent flow between the first compartment 170 and a secondcompartment 172 as the connecting rod 156 of the piston 150 slidestherethrough.

The inlet valve section 166 includes two inlet flapper valves 174 a, 174b, the inlet flapper valve 174 a in fluid communication with the firstcompartment 170 and the inlet flapper valve 174 b in fluid communicationwith the second compartment 172 of the central chamber 162. These inletflapper valves 174 a, 174 b are free to extend out into the firstcompartment 170 and second compartment 172, respectively, therebyallowing a fluid to flow from the inlet supply conduit 140 through theinlet 141 and into the first compartment 170 and the second compartment172, when opened.

The outlet valve section 168 includes two outlet flapper valves 176 a,176 b, the outlet flapper valve 176 b in fluid communication with thefirst compartment 170 and the outlet flapper valve 176 a in fluidcommunication with the second compartment 172. These outlet flappervalves 176 a, 176 b are free to open into the outlet valve section 168,thereby allowing fluid to flow from the first compartment 170 and thesecond compartment 172 through the outlet 143 and into the outlet supplyconduit 144, when opened.

The flapper valves 174 a, 174 b, 176 a, 176 b include a pivotable flapportion extending over a port such that when open, the flap extends awayfrom the port, thereby allowing flow therethrough. When closed, the flapportion sealingly closes the port. The flap portions may be screwed, orotherwise attached, to the sides of the separating section 164. Forsimilarly dimensioned separating sections 164, larger ports may beformed in the sides 165 when they are sloped as opposed to when thesides 165 are perpendicular to the wall 167, because of the increasedsurface area of the sides 165. The larger ports can allow for a greaterfluid flow rate into and out of the separating section 164.Alternatively, when comparing ports of similar size, the separatingsection 164 may be smaller when the sides 165 are sloped as opposed towhen the sides 165 are perpendicular to the wall 167. Decreasing thesize of the separating section 164 and corresponding components, such asthe piston 150, can lower material costs. A smaller size may also allowthe remote pumping unit 104 to be used in boreholes or tubewells withsmaller and/or special geometries that could prevent usage of a largerpumping unit. The flapper valves 174 a, 174 b, 176 a, 176 b may be ofany appropriate shape and size. In an alternative embodiment, the inletvalve section 166 and outlet valve section 168 may include a greaternumber of flapper valves of any appropriate size and shape. In a furtheralternative embodiment, any other appropriate type of one-way valves,such as a spring and check ball valve, may be utilized.

The system of FIG. 1, therefore, includes a number of fluid flow paths.A first sealed fluid flow path extends from the first driving chamber114 in the local pumping unit 102 through the first driving hose 132 tothe first chamber 158 in the remote pumping unit 104. A second sealedfluid flow path extends from the second driving chamber 116 in the localpumping unit 102 through the second driving hose 134 to the secondchamber 160 in the remote pumping unit 104. These sealed fluid flowpaths may be filled with a driving medium 178. In one embodiment, thedriving medium 178 is a fluid, such as, but not limited to, water oroil. In an alternative embodiment, the driving medium 178 is a gas, suchas, but not limited to, air. Water may be advantageous as a drivingmedium 178, at least because a leak of water through the seals dividingthe central chamber 162 from the first end chamber 158 and second endchamber 160 will not significantly pollute the water being drawn fromthe water source 106. When a substantially equal amount of the drivingmedium 178 is located in each of the flow paths and each of the flowpaths terminate at substantially the same elevations, only a minimalforce is required to move the piston 150.

An open fluid flow path for water from the water source 106 extends fromthe subterranean water source 106 through the inlet supply conduit 140and into the central chamber 162 (i.e., the first compartment 170 andsecond compartment 172) of the remote pumping unit 104, and thereafterextends out through the outlet supply conduit 144 and up to the surfacefor collection and use in irrigation, as drinking water, or for anyother appropriate purpose.

In operation, the inward driving force 122 on the first piston 108forces the driving medium 178 in the first sealed flow path out of thefirst driving chamber 114 in the local pumping unit 102 and into thefirst chamber 158 in the remote pumping unit 104. This in turn forcesthe piston 150 through the hollow interior of the housing 148 towardsthe second chamber 160.

The movement of the piston 150 increases the pressure within the firstcompartment 170 and reduces the pressure in the second compartment 172.As a result, the inlet flapper valve 174 a in fluid communication withthe first compartment 170 will be forced shut, thereby stopping any flowfrom the inlet supply conduit 140 to the first compartment 170.Simultaneously, the inlet flapper valve 174 b in fluid communicationwith the second compartment 172 will be forced open, thereby allowingflow from the inlet supply conduit 140 to the second compartment 172 viathe inlet 141, with the flow pulled into the second compartment 172 bythe suction created by the movement of the piston 150.

Similarly, the outlet flapper valve 176 a in fluid communication withthe second compartment 172 will be forced shut, thereby preventing flowto the outlet supply conduit 144 from the second compartment 172, andthe outlet flapper valve 176 b in fluid communication with the firstcompartment 170 will be forced open, thereby allowing flow to the outletsupply conduit 144 from the first compartment 170 via the outlet 143.The fluid flow is driven into the outlet supply conduit 144 by thepressure created by the movement of the piston 150.

As a result, an inward driving force 122 on the first piston 108 has theeffect of drawing water from the water source 106 into the secondcompartment 172, while simultaneously forcing water in the firstcompartment 170 out of the remote pumping unit 104 and through theoutlet supply conduit 144 towards the surface. Arrows indicating theflow path for the fluids within the system upon application of thedriving force 122 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In one embodiment, while an inward driving force 122 is being applied tothe first piston 108, the driving medium 178 in the second flow path isforced out of the second chamber 160 and into the second driving chamber116, thereby forcing the second piston 110 outward/upward. In anotherembodiment, an outward force may also be applied by a device couplingthe motion of the first piston 108 to the motion of the second piston110, such as a rocker mechanism. In one embodiment, where the firstpiston 108 and second piston 110 each have seals providingbi-directional sealing, the outward movement of the second piston 110can lower the pressure within the second driving chamber 116, helpingpull the driving medium 178 in the second sealed flow path from thesecond chamber 160. In an alternative embodiment, the first piston 108and second piston 110 may be operated separately, with the second piston110 left free to move of its own accord in response to an inward drivingforce 122 being applied to the first piston 108, and vice-versa.

Once the first piston 108 has been depressed, an inward driving forcecan be applied to the second piston 110. This will produce a reciprocalmotion on the remote pumping unit 104, with the piston 150 being forcedthrough the hollow interior of the housing 148 towards the first chamber158. This in turn closes the inlet flapper valve 174 b and opens theoutlet flapper valve 176 a, while simultaneously opening the inletflapper valve 174 a and closing the outlet flapper valve 176 b. As aresult, an inward driving force on the second piston 110 has the effectof drawing water from the water source 106 into the first compartment170, while simultaneously forcing the previously drawn water in thesecond compartment 172 out of the remote pumping unit 104 and throughthe outlet supply conduit 144 towards the surface. By cyclicallyrepeating the inward driving force to the first piston 108 and secondpiston 110, a substantially constant flow of water can be created fromthe subterranean water source 106, through the remote pumping unit 104and up through the outlet supply conduit 144 to the surface.

Various elements of the local pumping unit 102, remote pumping unit 104,and connecting hoses may be constructed from various materials such as,but not limited to, metals, plastics, rubber, carbon fiber, polymericmaterials, and combinations thereof. For example, in one embodiment, thelocal pumping unit 102 and remote pumping unit 104 are constructed froma metal such as stainless steel, while the connecting hoses areconstructed from a flexible elastomeric material. Any appropriate pipefittings, as known in the art, may be used to connect the hoses to thelocal pumping unit 102 and remote pumping unit 104. For example, in oneembodiment, the driving hoses 132, 134, the inlet supply conduit 140,and/or the outlet supply conduit 146 may be fitted to their respectivecoupling elements in the local pumping unit 102 and/or remote pumpingunit 104 through a simple interference fit with the coupling elements.In one embodiment, coupling elements 128, 130, 136, 138, 142, and/or 146may include protrusions on their outer surfaces to facilitate thecreation of a tight interference fit between the coupling elements 128,130, 136, 138, 142, and/or 146 and the driving hoses 132, 134, inletsupply conduit 140, and/or outlet supply conduit 144. Alternate methodsof connecting the hoses and conduits to the coupling elements include,but are not limited to, a threaded attachment or other quick connectmechanism that provides a stable fluid-tight connection. The relevanthoses and/or supply conduits may be flexible hoses, although a rigidconstruction (e.g., pipe) is also viable. The flexible construction can,for example, be made with an elastomer, whereas the rigid constructioncan include a stiff polymer or metal.

The various stationary components of the local pumping unit 102 andremote pumping unit 104 may be connected through means including, butnot limited to, welding, bolting, threaded connections, and any otherappropriate means. The local pumping unit 102 and/or remote pumping unit104 may be constructed from a number of separate components that may beeasily assembled and disassembled for ease of transporting andmaintenance. Alternatively, each of the local pumping unit 102 andremote pumping unit 104 may be constructed as a single, unitarystructure.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a single local pumpingunit 102 may be coupled to a plurality of remote pumping units 104,thereby allowing a single local pumping unit 102 to power the drawing ofwater from a plurality of sources. In one embodiment, the remote pumpingunit 104 is positioned such that its main elongate axis is positionedsubstantially horizontally or vertically.

An example remote pumping unit 300, according to one embodiment of theinvention, is shown in FIGS. 3-6. The remote pumping unit 300 includes ahousing 348 including a first end plate 302 and a second end plate 304,with a number of support rods 306 extending therebetween. A first hollowsection 308 is sealingly connected to the first end plate 302, with asecond hollow section 310 sealingly connected to the second end plate304. A separating section 164, as described above for FIGS. 1 and 2, isplaced in sealed contact between the first hollow section 308 and thesecond hollow section 310. The support rods 306 may be threaded, bolted,glued, or otherwise coupled to the end plates 302, 304 and provide astatic compressive force between the two end plates 302, 304 to hold thehousing 348 in place in sealed contact. A first coupling element 136 ismounted to the first end plate 302, while a second coupling element 138is mounted to the second end plate 304. The remote pumping unit 300 maybe connected to a local pumping unit 102 and perform as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In one embodiment, the remote pumping unit 300 is substantiallycylindrical. In an alternative embodiment, any other appropriate shapemay be utilized for the remote pumping unit 300 including, but notlimited to, a rectangular, square, or oblong cross-sectional elongatehollow object. In one embodiment, the separating section 164 has groovesor other appropriate mating elements to ensure a correct, sealedconnection between the separating section 164 and the first and secondhollow sections 308, 310. An exploded view of the remote pumping unit300 can be seen in FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the remote pumping unit300. A piston 350 is slidably located within the hollow interior of thehousing 348. This piston 350 includes a first end plate 352, a secondend plate 354, and a connecting rod 356. The connecting rod 356 extendsthrough a channel 358 in the separating section 164. As discussed above,an o-ring, or other appropriate sealing element, may be positionedwithin the channel 358 to prevent the flow of liquid between the firstcompartment 170 and second compartment 172 of the central chamber 162.The o-ring, or other sealing element(s), may be placed on a wall of thechannel 358 or may be mounted on the connecting rod 356. Alternatively,the connecting rod 356 may be sufficiently tightly fitted with the wallof the channel 358 to provide a sealed fit without the need for aseparate sealing element, while still allowing the connecting rod 356 toslide therethrough. For example, the connecting rod 356 and/or channel358 may be constructed from an elastomeric substance that can providesufficient sealing force while still allowing substantially frictionlesssliding of the connecting rod 356 through the channel 358. In anotherembodiment, a flow path defined between the connecting rod 356 and thechannel 358 is of sufficient length to create a tortuous leak path,making a hydrodynamic seal.

In one embodiment, the connecting rod 356 is covered with an elastomericmaterial to reduce the frictional forces experienced by the connectingrod 356 while sliding through the channel 358. In alternativeembodiments, the connecting rod 356 may be covered in other low frictioncoatings to reduce the frictional forces. In one embodiment, each end ofthe connecting rod 356 is externally threaded to the center of each ofthe first end plate 352 and the second end plate 354. Additionalattachment methods such as, but not limited to, bolting, welding,gluing, or an interference fit, can also provide the necessary strengthfor the connection. In one embodiment, the connecting rod 356 is a rigidelongate rod. In alternative embodiments, the connecting rod 356 mayhave any appropriate shapes and properties.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the piston 350 may bereplaced by one or more diaphragms located within the interior of thehousing 348 and adapted to produce a change in the pressure within theremote pumping unit 300 in response to a driving force from the localpumping unit 102 in fluid communication with the remote pumping unit300. In further alternative embodiments, other appropriate pneumatic ormechanical means of controlling the pressure within the differentchambers of the remote pumping unit 300 may be utilized.

In one embodiment, the separating section 164 is formed by welding twosubstantially enclosed chambers together. Each of these chambers isshaped like a half-cylinder, and each has a half-cylindrical cut-out inthe middle of the flat side, the cut-out running the length of thechamber. The two chambers are positioned so that the half cylinder cutouts align, forming the channel 358 when connected. The two chambers arethen welded in this position to form the separating section 164.Alternate methods may be used to create a similarly operationalstructure for the separating section 164 that has two internal chambersand a channel passing through the middle. Other manufacturing techniquesinclude injection molding the separating section 164, either as a singlepiece, or as separate pieces that are then plastic-welded or clampedtogether.

A flow chart showing the operation of the pumping system 100 can be seenin FIG. 7. Here, the driving force 122 is first applied to the firstdriving piston 108 of the local pumping unit 102 (Step 702). The firstdriving piston 108 drives the driving medium 178 within the firstdriving chamber 114 to the first chamber 158 of the remote pumping unit104 via the first driving hose 132 (Step 704). The driving medium 178entering the first chamber 158 of the remote pumping unit 104 drives thefirst end plate 152 of the piston 150 toward the separating section 164(Step 706). The inlet flapper valve 174 a is forced shut, while theoutlet flapper valve 176 b is forced open. Water in the firstcompartment 170 is forced through the outlet 143 and towards the surfacethrough the outlet supply conduit 144 (Step 708).

The first end plate 152 and the connecting rod 156 of the piston 150drive the second end plate 154 of the piston 150 away from theseparating section 164 (Step 710). This causes the outlet flapper valve176 a to be forced shut, while the inlet flapper valve 174 b is forcedopen. As a result, water from the water source 106 is drawn through theinlet 141 and the inlet valve section 166 into the second compartment172 (Step 712). The second end plate 154 pushes the driving medium 178out of the second chamber 160 and up to the second driving chamber 116in the local pumping unit 102 (Step 714). The driving medium 178 appliesa force to elevate the second driving piston 110 (Step 716).

Similarly, a force may then be applied to the second driving piston 110(Step 718). The second driving piston 110 then drives the driving medium178 to the second chamber 160 of the remote pumping unit 104 via thesecond driving hose 134 (Step 720). The driving medium 178 drives thesecond end plate 154 of the piston 150 toward the separating section 164(Step 722). As a result, the inlet flapper valve 174 b is forced shut,while the outlet flapper valve 176 a is forced open. Water in the secondcompartment 172 is therefore forced through the outlet 143 and towardthe surface (Step 724). The second end plate 154 and the connecting rod156 of the piston 150 drive the first end plate 152 of the piston 150away from the separating section 164 (Step 726). As a result, the outletflapper valve 176 b is forced shut, and the inlet flapper valve 174 a isforced open. Water from the water source 106 is therefore drawn throughthe inlet 141 and the inlet valve section 166 into the first compartment170 (Step 728). The first end plate 152 pushes the driving medium 178out of the first chamber 158 and up to the first driving chamber 114 inthe local pumping unit 102 (Step 730). The driving medium 178 elevatesthe first driving piston 108 (Step 732). This cycle may then be repeatedto continuously operate the pumping system 100.

The sizes and shapes of the components of the local pumping unit and theremote pumping unit may be configured to suit a particular application(e.g., pumping from a narrow well or a shallow water source) or tohandle various volumes/flow rates. The various components describedherein can be manufactured from any suitable non-fluid degradablematerials or combinations thereof.

Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodimentsincorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrativeand not restrictive.

1. A pumping system comprising: a local pumping unit; and a remotepumping unit, the remote pumping unit defining an interior volume andcomprising: a first chamber in fluid communication with the localpumping unit; a second chamber in fluid communication with the localpumping unit; a central chamber comprising a separating section, theseparating section comprising an inlet valve section and an outlet valvesection; and a driving element slidably located within the interiorvolume of the remote pumping unit, wherein the driving element isadapted to draw fluid into the central chamber through the inlet valvesection and force fluid out of the central chamber through the outletvalve section when actuated by forcing a driving medium into one of thefirst chamber and the second chamber from the local pumping unit.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the local pumping unit is manually operated.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the local pumping unit comprises afirst cylinder assembly and a second cylinder assembly.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the first chamber is in fluid communication with thefirst cylinder assembly, and the second chamber is in fluidcommunication with the second cylinder assembly.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the driving element comprises a piston.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the separating section comprises a valve box.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the separating section divides the centralchamber into two separate portions and activation of the driving elementdraws fluid into one of the two portions through the inlet valve sectionand simultaneously forces fluid out of the other portion through theoutlet valve section.
 8. A pumping system comprising: a power inputunit; and a remote pumping unit, the remote pumping unit coupled withthe power input unit through conduits and comprising: a housing unitwith a central chamber; a fixed valve box disposed substantially withinthe central chamber, the valve box containing at least four valves, eachof the valves in fluid communication with at least one of an inlet andan outlet in fluid communication with the central chamber; and a drivingelement slidably disposed relative to the fixed valve box.
 9. The systemof claim 8, wherein the remote pumping unit comprises a first chamberand a second chamber.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the power inputunit is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the secondchamber through two hoses.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein theremote pumping unit comprises a cylindrical housing with the firstchamber and the second chamber located at opposing distal ends thereof.12. The system of claim 8, wherein the valve box comprises an inletvalve section and an outlet valve section.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein each of the inlet valve section and outlet valve sectioncomprise two valves.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the drivingelement sealingly separates the first chamber, second chamber, andcentral chamber.
 15. The system of claim 8, wherein the power input unitcomprises a local pumping unit.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thelocal pumping unit comprises two pistons.
 17. The system of claim 8,wherein the valves comprise one-way valves.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein at least two of the one-way valves allow flow from the inletinto the central chamber and at least two of the one-way valves allowflow out of the central chamber to the outlet.
 19. A method of pumpingfluid from a remote location, the method comprising the steps of:applying a force to a local pumping unit; driving a medium to an endchamber of a remote pumping unit, the remote pumping unit comprising afirst end chamber, a second end chamber, a central chamber, and adriving element; and drawing fluid through an inlet of the centralchamber and driving fluid out of an outlet of the central chamberthrough actuation of the driving element, wherein the driving element isactuated by driving the driving medium into one of the first end chamberand second end chamber through the application of force to the localpumping unit.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method iscyclically repeated by alternately driving the driving medium into thefirst end chamber and then the second end chamber.